Friday June 22,
2012
50 cents
Daily Corinthian Vol. 116, No. 150
Thunderstorm Today
Tonight
92
67
• Corinth, Mississippi • 22 pages • 2 sections
‘Hallowed Ground’
Author, columnist speaks at Rotary BY BOBBY J. SMITH bjsmith@dailycorinthian.com
veteran Doug Hayhurst, retired U.S. Army veteran with 41 years of service, was one of several volunteers taking part. Among others working along side each other were U.S. Air Force veteran Tommy Watson and retired U.S. Marine Scott
Popular and award-winning columnist and author Rheta Grimsley Johnson discussed her newest book, “Hank Hung the Moon,” at Thursday’s meeting of the Corinth Rotary Club. More than a biography, Johnson’s book is a memoir of growing up in “a simpler time when Hank walked the earth.” Johnson is a longtime roving columnist for King Features Syndicate. Her books include “Good Grief: The Story of Charles M. Schulz” and “Poor Man’s Provenance: Finding Myself in Cajun Louisiana.” She is a resident of Tishomingo County with many of newspaper columns datelined “Fishtrap Hollow.” Johnson entered the world right after Hank Williams departed. She was born in Georgia, on Jan. 30, 1953. Williams died on New Year’s Day of that same year, in the back seat of a Cadillac on the way to play a show in Canton, Ohio. Although “the Hillbilly Shakespeare” had died right before her birth, Johnson grew up knowing and loving his music. “When I was little I like the novelty songs, like, ‘Hey, Good Lookin’,” Johnson recalled. “But then we grow older and life does things to us, and I needed his industrial strength songs, like women that need more calcium.” Throughout her life, music remained important. While she likes music, Johnson said, she loves Hank Williams. His music has been a constant presence, helping her through life’s stormy passages like an old friend. “Hank has ridden with me through late nights and has got me through deaths and every imaginable situation,” she said. For over three decades Johnson has written about the South as a reporter and columnist, from her early work with the
Please see WALL | 10A
Please see AUTHOR | 2A
Staff photos by Mark Boehler
U.S. Army veteran Doug Hayhurst assists with the wall going up on Thursday morning.
U.S. Air Force veteran Tommy Watson (left) and retired U.S. Marine Scott Richardson add another panel to the wall.
Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall goes up BY MARK BOEHLER editor@dailycorinthian.com
It’s called Hallelujah Hill. This weekend it’s Hallowed Ground. Local retired veterans and other volunteers’ sweat poured over the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall as it was erected Thursday with blue skies
and temperatures past 90 degrees. As each bolt was secured for another section for one of two 144-foot wings of the replica of The Wall in Washington, D.C., a veteran would wipe the sweat from his brow. “Things are progressing well,” said Event Chairman
Tom Chartres, as volunteers took a noon lunch break, then were going to spend the afternoon erecting the second 144foot section. Veterans shared military service stories along the way, as flags were hoisted around the memorial and the road leading into the exhibit area. Vietnam
12-year-old wins 4-H T-shirt art design contest BY STEVE BEAVERS sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com
Anna Grace Thompson combined two of her talents into a T-shirt design. The effort paid off as the 12-year-old’s entry was selected as the top design in the 4-H Horse Club art contest. “It took a few days to draw,” said the Corinth Middle School student. The drawing isn’t the first time the youngest daughter of Steve and Janet Thompson has come up with an artistic winner. “She has done our Christmas card every year since the first grade,” said her mother. Thompson, who plays soccer and volleyball in school, also competes in the 4-H Horse Club. “I do the speed events like barrel racing and pole pend-
ing,” she said. “I like going fast and not standing still.” “Anna Grace has been involved in 4-H since the second grade,” said Janet Thompson. “Our club provides a family atmosphere where everyone cheers for each other’s kids and wants them to succeed.” The contest was an effort to promote the horse program through an area that is rapidly growing as a career. It was also a way to encourage 4-H members who do not have a horse but are interested in horses and related activities. “I decided to enter when I saw there was a contest,” said Anna Grace. “She doodles all the time,” added Janet. Her design featured a horse running with the 4-H logo above it. Alcorn County
and Showdeo were on the sides with barbed wire bordering the entry. “I thought it was cool,” said the artist. “It was something I worked on during my spare time at home and school.” The T-shirts were sold at the June Showdeo for $12. The June show at the Crossroads Arena was a huge success, according to volunteer leader Cathy Potts. “We had a fantastic turnout,” said Potts. “Approximately 50 kids entered a total of 240 entries ... it was the biggest show that we have had yet.” All the money raised from the event will go toward awards for the kids at the high point year end banquet in December. The next Showdeo is set for August.
Index Stocks...... 7A Classified......6B Comics......5B Wisdom......4B
Weather......5A Obituaries......3A Opinion......4A Sports......8A
Staff photo by Steve Beavers
Anna Grace Thompson displays her winning entry in the 4-H Horse Club art contest.
On this day in history 150 years ago Gen. U.S. Grant, commander of the District of West Tennessee, moves his headquarters from Corinth to Memphis. Rumors of a Confederate advance prompts Gen. Halleck to send three divisions to reinforce troops at Iuka. The rumors prove false.